Age of Rebirth

The landing force commanded by Battelle fought in the direction of Adelaide, basically attracting the attention of the Japanese troops in southern Australia. As for the main force of the Japanese troops stationed in Australia in the far north of Australia, it was not within the scope of Tang Qiusheng's consideration. Within the next month, at least in the next month, there is no need to consider this factor. If the Japanese army wants to turn around and go south for reinforcements, it will be a breeze!

Of course, Tang Qiusheng couldn't put all the pressure on Battelle's shoulders. From the time he received the information just now, he knew that the battle to land in Melbourne was smoother than originally expected. In Melbourne and its surrounding areas, A total of more than [-] people were stationed in the two main divisions of the Japanese army.

Now, there are more than 3 reinforcements in Adelaide, and the remaining Japanese defensive force of less than 2 is not enough in front of its own force of more than [-]. In addition, it is unprepared to attack it. Is there a successful landing? any suspense.

What I want to consider is that the Japanese army in Melbourne and its surroundings, on the way to reinforce Adelaide, deal a heavy blow, leaving the solid fortifications, and the Japanese army exposed to the wild is a good opportunity to hit it hard!

"Qiuquan, my plan is this. The Japanese troops stationed in and around Melbourne are No.40 Third Division and No.40 Fifth Division. If you want to reinforce Adelaide, you must go through Ararat and Beaumont. We can dispatch most of the carrier-based aircraft to carry out large-scale airstrikes on the way to Dayton and Tailem Bend!" Tang Qiusheng pointed to the map.

Seeing Tang Qiuquan listening intently, Tang Qiusheng continued: "The effect of the air strike will be very amazing. The Japanese reinforcements in Adelaide would never have expected it. We will have a carrier-based aircraft fleet appearing in that direction. I am the only one The worry is that although a considerable part of the No. 20 Air Force of the Japanese Army stationed in the northwest of Melbourne has gone to reinforce Adelaide, the remaining Japanese combat aircraft will cause greater damage to our landing operations. threaten!"

"And the number of carrier-based aircraft in our escort fleet is so large. We have to attack the Japanese reinforcements and fight against the remaining air forces of the No. 20 Air Force of the Japanese Army. We have to take care of both directions. There are not enough troops!"

"It is indeed a real problem!" Tang Qiuquan admitted.Escort fleet under his own command.Although there are four aircraft carriers, the number of carrier-based aircraft is only more than 300, of which there are only more than [-] fighter jets. If you want to take care of two combat directions, the number of troops in that direction is insufficient.

Originally, according to the previous plan of the Australian campaign, Wu Zhenjiang's aircraft fleet had to be divided into two groups.All the way to provide air fire support for the landing force in the direction of Adelaide.The other route is in the direction of Melbourne, but after changing the battle plan, the troops commanded by Battelle took the lead in launching the attack, and Wu Zhenjiang's fleet was all used in the direction of Adelaide. Because of this, it created the No. The record of the 17th Air Force.

However, it also caused practical difficulties for the landing force in the direction of Melbourne. The air cover force was insufficient. The No. 20 Air Force of the Japanese army was a problem. The remaining combat aircraft were enough to form an evenly matched battle with the fleet carrier aircraft. scene.

If this problem is not resolved, Tang Qiusheng's plan to air-strike the Japanese army to reinforce the Adelaide troops on the way is just empty talk, neither of them spoke, and fell into deep thought.

It was Tang Qiusheng who broke the silence and said: "Just now, Battelle sent a telegram saying that the troops had successfully landed and occupied most of the urban area of ​​Adelaide, but they also attracted the No.40 Division of the Japanese Army stationed in Ivanhoe. All, and all the reinforcements of the No.19 Air Force of the Japanese Army!""

"In view of this, Battelle has ordered the second echelon combat aircraft of the Southern Aviation Group assembled in the Chagos Islands to immediately rush to the airspace of Adelaide to face the Japanese No.19 Air Force, and then to face the Japanese No.20-[-] For the majority of the air force, there are two more fierce battles in the air, so we should not count on reinforcements from Wu Zhenjiang's fleet!"

Tang Qiuquan really had this plan. From the second echelon combat fleet, some combat aircraft would be transferred to the direction of Melbourne. In this way, the air force would be more than enough to fight in two directions at the same time. Now, after listening to Tang Qiusheng's words, Obviously this is impossible.

Tang Qiuquan thought about it, and suddenly, a stern light flashed in his eyes, and he said in a low tone: "Brother Qiusheng, for the current plan, I can only give it a go. My plan is, before the Japanese army finds us Opportunity, the carrier-based aircraft group came out in full force, air raided the Japanese field airfield in Alpari, northeast of Melbourne, and wiped out the home of the No. 20 air force of the little devil in one fell swoop!"

"And this requires that the landing force must postpone the launch of the landing attack. Relatively speaking, our chances of exposure and resistance to landing will be greater. Fireworks are raging in the direction of Adelaide. The Japanese army in southern Australia will definitely Be alert!"

"Brother Qiusheng, you need to make this determination!" Tang Qiuquan looked at his cousin with piercing eyes.

Tang Qiusheng thought sharply. Qiuquan's plan is feasible, but the risk is too great. In terms of overall air power, the escort fleet is far inferior to the Japanese No. 20 Air Force. In case, during the air attack on the Japanese field airport, The reinforcements of the Japanese aircraft fleet in the direction of Adelaide turned around and returned after receiving the news that their home base was attacked by air. Maybe the aircraft carrier aircraft fleet will be dumped?

After careful weighing, Tang Qiusheng finally made up his mind, "Qiuquan, I agree with your air attack plan. At the same time, I will order Wu Zhenjiang, the second echelon fleet, to carry out air combat with the Japanese Air Force No. 19. At any cost, the No. 20 Air Force of the Japanese Army, the fleet that reinforces Adelaide, must be kept in the Adelaide airspace!"

"Okay!" Tang Qiuquan was a straightforward person, and immediately went to arrange the air strike mission.

On the way to Ivanhoe, the commander of the No. 30 Ninth Division of the Japanese Army and Lieutenant General Okabe, the commander of the Adelaide Police, did not stop in shock until the gunfire behind him gradually moved away. Take a breath!

Then, Lieutenant General Okabe personally sent a telegram to Lieutenant General Morishita, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army in Australia, "Your Excellency, it is very unfortunate that all the soldiers of the No. Desperate resistance, but still lost to the Chinese Independent Division troops who landed, at noon today, Adelaide fell, and I have led the troops to withdraw to the direction of Ivanhoe!"

"In the Battle of Adelaide, my No.30 Ninth Division fought hard with the Chinese landing force for several hours, and most of the troops were killed or injured. The Ministry only led less than one regiment of troops and withdrew from Adelaide. According to the Ministry's It is judged that the independent division attacking Adelaide will have more than [-] troops, dozens of warships, and more than a thousand combat aircraft!"

"The fierce sea and air firepower of the attacking troops of the China Independent Division is unprecedented. The port fortress position was reduced to ruins. The tragic situation of the battle cannot be described in words, except that the evacuation of Adelaide is not the result of the staff's refusal." For the sake of the empire and His Majesty the Emperor, I think about it again and again, basically all the members are broken, and it will not help the matter, it is better to leave the guilty body, regain Adelaide, and get rid of the shame!"

After seeing this telegram, Lieutenant General Morishita suddenly stared at gold stars, and his head was flying like countless bees. He was not in a hurry to get angry because of the loss of Adelaide. For the entire Australian continent, Adelaide Dryde is just one of the ports. If it is lost, it can be regained!

It was difficult for Lieutenant General Morishita to accept that Okabe's telegram finally confirmed that the troops of the China Independent Division had really launched an offensive in southern Australia with a large-scale force. This was unexpected by no one. The whole set of plans to defend Australia has lost its effect.

For example, I concentrated the main force of the imperial army in Australia, nearly 20 people, in various key points in northern Australia, in order to prevent the troops of the Chinese devil Tang Qiuli from fighting from the north, but now, the war is in southern Australia Burning, how can we not let Lieutenant General Morishita have a sense of depression beyond his reach!

With a distance of thousands of kilometers, even if the main force of the imperial army marches fully mechanized, it may take more than a month before they can reach the southern battlefield. Where did so many vehicles come from?

Lieutenant General Okabe, the commander of the No.30 Ninth Division who evacuated from Adelaide without authorization, and the colonel commander did not reprimand and investigate further. Among the Imperial Army troops, all commanders above the division commander level His Majesty the Emperor personally appointed him, and he has no right to dismiss or punish him at will. What's more, the No. 30 Ninth Division has almost lost all of its money, so what's the use of shooting this bastard Okabe?

"Commander Okabe Division, I have ordered the No.40 Division Suzuki Division Commander stationed in Ivanhoe to urgently reinforce Adelaide, and the entire No.19 Air Force has also been invested in combating Adelaide. Among Ryder's reinforcements!"

"In view of this, you immediately stop withdrawing to Ivanhoe, and on the way, you have a round with Suzuki's division commander's troops. The remaining troops in your department are immediately organized into the No. 40 division's combat order, and recapturing Adelaide is counted as It is to make up for the mistakes, and you, Lieutenant General Okabe, will serve as the acting deputy head of the No. 40 division and assist Lieutenant General Suzuki in command!"

"Withdrawing from the battlefield without permission is an unforgivable act, but the opportunity is here. I hope you will do it yourself and perform well in the battle to recapture Adelaide. Otherwise, I will definitely report to the headquarters. You, Okabe-kun, will definitely receive the most severe punishment!"

This can be regarded as a telegram from Lieutenant General Morishita, who has dealt with the bastard Okabe. How can it be more valuable to keep him for his crimes and meritorious deeds? To recapture Adelaide, he can't get on Okabe. He has been stationed there for several years and is familiar with the situation people!

After returning the telegram to Lieutenant General Okabe, Lieutenant General Morishita had to do one more important thing, reporting to the base camp the unfortunate news that the Independent Division troops had launched an attack on Australia.

(to be continued) (to be continued...)